Kamala Harris - Tim Walz: the winning ticket to cannabis legalization in the United States?

Has the United States reached the tipping point in its legalization movement? With half of the US states, representing over 70% of the population, Kamala Harris has chosen Tim Walz, Minnesota's notoriously pro-regulation governor, as her running mate for the November presidential election.

This is the first time that a major party has fielded two candidates who openly support the legalization of cannabis. Their unified position could have significant implications for the future of cannabis policy in particular and drug policy in general in the United States.

Tim Walz and his stance on cannabis

Governor Tim Walz has championed cannabis reform throughout his political career. As a representative in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2007 to 2019, Mr. Walz sponsored and co-sponsored numerous bills to advance cannabis policy.

In particular, he defended a law to promote research on the medical cannabis for veterans, marking the first stand-alone cannabis reform bill to pass a congressional committee.

Tim Walz also supported several amendments aimed at protect state cannabis programs against federal interference and allow the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to issue recommendations on medical cannabis in legal states.

Since becoming governor of Minnesota in 2019, Walz has continued to push for comprehensive cannabis reform. In 2023, he signed a landmark bill which legalized cannabis for adult use, making Minnesota the 23rd state to do so.

«What we know now is that prohibition doesn't work,» Walz said at the signing ceremony, noting the bill's emphasis on clearing criminal records and rectifying the injustices of past drug policies.

In addition to legalization, Mr. Walz has adopted measures to decriminalize drugs, establish safe consumption sites and create a task force on psychedelics. These initiatives reflect his broader commitment to harm reduction and innovative approaches to drug policy.

Impact on the cannabis industry

The Harris-Walz ticket has been enthusiastically welcomed by cannabis advocates and industry players alike.

David Culver, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for the’U.S. Cannabis Council, underlined the importance of the presence, for the first time, of a pro-legalization candidate within a major party.

«For the first time, there will be a major pro-legalization party,» Culver noted, underscoring the potential for substantial changes in federal policy under a Harris-Walz administration.

Mr. Walz's leadership in Minnesota has already set a high standard for cannabis legalization. Under his administration, Minnesota has developed a progressive, justice-focused framework for cannabis regulation, avoiding monopolistic practices and prioritizing social equity. Leili Fatehi, a cannabis advocate and political consultant in Minnesota, praised Walz's vision and foresight, calling it essential to anticipated changes in federal policy.

The contrast between Walz and his Republican counterpart, Senator JD Vance, highlights the divergent views on cannabis policy. While Vance supports the right of states to legalize cannabis, the’Ohio began sales yesterday He also called for stronger law enforcement and expressed concern about the impact of cannabis consumption.

Harris - Walz: changes in sight?

With both Harris and Walz supporting cannabis legalization, the potential for federal policy reform is significant. Kamala Harris has already expressed her support to a relaxation of federal cannabis laws under the Biden administration. A Harris-Walz administration could see further advances, particularly in areas such as federal legalization of cannabis, the’access to banks for cannabis businesses and expanding the medical cannabis research.

Although the exact priorities of a Harris-Walz administration remain uncertain, their combined track records suggest a strong likelihood of progressive reforms. These could include broader harm reduction policies and a focus on psychedelic research, building on Walz's initiatives in Minnesota.